Sun 30TH Sept 2007
BBFC 1-3 WHEATSHEAF
In a reversal of the previous week when we came through in the last 10 minutes, this week it was our opponents that secured the 3-1 win 2 second half goals.
Possibly Mark Stzyber's pre-match warm up benefitted the team as we started brightly, Gary Walsh tapping in from close range to end a great counter attack involving Dale, Ollie and Tom.
Further chances fell to us as Wheatsheaf, who were probably looking at our Leaguer position and expecting an easy afternoon, were shaken by the quality of our attacking play.
However, after a calamatous drop donated the equaliser to Wheatsheaf, these early opportunities to put the game out of sight came back to haunt us in the second half. As the game swung to and fro,it was the opposition who finished their chances to win the game.
After great success last week in the cup, it was heartbreak again in the League. Halting the goals conceded is a priority and there are lessons that we need to reflect on. We also need to be patient in attack in the knowledge that the chances we're creating will lead to a goal binge.
Even with no points on the board, there's so much to be encouraged by. Woe betide a team that takes us for granted.
Next week - another great challenge as we entertain Hollington II in the Super Stitch Cup - this after our Players' Breakfast and AGM at the Baptist Church 9am Saturday. Please make every effort to be there.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thu 27th Sept 2007
DARRELL'S A DAD!!!
News came in today that Michelle had the baby today...It's a BOY!
Unfortunately in true masculine style, much else is not known at this stage...
but CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Darrelle, Michelle and brother Cameron.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 23rd Sept 2007
TICEHURST A BENCHMARK
The firsts gave a great performance yesterday to beat Ticehurst from Division 1 in the 1st round of the Super Stitch Cup.
Pre-match, the team were asked for a hard-working, back-to-basics performance and every player did their bit brilliantly.
In sweltering heat, the team showed great character, coming from behind to turn the game round... just as it started to look like extra time was inevitable.
From midway through the 2nd half, it was the Baptists that looked like the more senior team. Ticehurst were allowed possesion in their own half and each time they pumped the ball into our defence, it was solidly repelled our by resilient defence. At the other end, the away side never got to grips with the blossoming partnership of Walsh and Frere-Smith, and the Ticehurst keeper played brilliantly to keep his side in the game until 2 goals inside the last 10 minutes from Tom Frere-Smith seeled the tie.
Earlier Ticehurst went ahead when keeper Lewis strayed wide right out of his area and the attacker squared the ball for a teammate to finish accurately into the bottom corner, this against the run of play with both Walsh and Frere-Smith missing golden opportunities.
Walsh put the game level after a Frere-Smith shot was parried brilliantly and as the ball squirted across the six yard box, Walsh pounced on defensive indecision to 'tackle' the ball into the net.
The win will boosts flagging confidence having started the league season with 3 defeats. It also serves as a benchmark for the season. We will be looking closely at the results of Ticehurst to give an indication of our own ability.
This cup win rewards the Baptists with another challenge as they entertain Hollington II, who beat Magham Down 3-0 the previous week.
Next week it's back to Division 2 action as Wheatsheaf Willingdon come to Battle Rec in a changed fixture.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Mon 17th Sept 2007
CHECK AVAILABILITY
Players...I'm back now from my Monaco extravaganza (having dined with Prince Albert at Quay Des Artistes on Saturday night). I've put the availability of players (as I know it) on the website.
Check I've got it right and notify any mistakes to me IMMEDIATELY 'cos we're already thinking about the teams for this weekend.
The firsts have a strong squad to select from for the Super Stitch 86 Chalenge Cup Fixture against Ticehurst of the 1st Division...KO 2:30pm...
...whilst the second team are at home (yet again) and will aim to return to winning ways against Hastings Elite.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 1st Sept 2007
PAINFUL LESSONS
Mayfield 3-2 BBFC I
Yesterday’s experience at Mayfield was still hurting badly when I awoke this morning. Having taken a 2 goal lead in the 45th minute and had several great chances to make it 3-0, we stopped playing and were overtaken by an 80th minute penalty. It left me as punch drunk as a Mike Tyson left hook.
I read in my bible this morning that painful lessons are usually doorways to new opportunities. Paul’s 1st letter to Timothy encourages us to put our trust in our unfailing God and look optimistically to the future.
We certainly have much to be optimistic about!!!
For much of the game we kept out a very good Mayfield attack, defending solidly to keep a clean sheet at half time. Our attacks looked dangerous, especially when we played round the outside of their defence and crossed into the penalty area.
Having missed a chance myself that would have given us 3-0 I’m having flashbacks when you blame yourself and tell yourself that you should have done differently. I guess others in the team are experiencing the same thing. But if we overanalyse the game, we’ll end up inspecting every missed tackle, every run that we didn’t make, every inaccurate pass and we’ll discover that everyone is collectively responsible for our defeat.
The fact is that over 90 mins Mayfield scored more goals than we did. Another day we might have won 6-0. On yet another day we can play Mayfiled’s role and win against the odds.
One thing we cannot do is look to the referee as a scapegoat for our frailties. Our efforts to seek explanation for decisions were certainly misinterpreted. I know the characters of my players and they are not aggressive or intimidating. I preach sportsmanship and fair play in every pre-match team talk. A word of explanation would have pacified those incidents that caused us so much tension.
However, throughout the game, we allowed our frustrations to affect our performance, even though it was clear from very early on in the game that the ref would not enter into any discussion about decisions.
This is a very important lesson to learn not just because we want to improve our chances of winning and not just because we want to enjoy our football (I couldn’t see many Battle Baptists exiting the field with a joyful smile yesterday). But also because we are a Christian based team and as such we must show Christian witness. This is the purpose of our Code of Conduct to which we have signed up. This requires BBFC players to behave excellently on a football pitch - we cannot underestimate this enormous challenge under the strain of great persecution from those who behave poorly.
With Jesus in our team we can never lose. I look forward to seeing yesterday’s ref again to show him that we are actually great guys.
Next week we’ll have another chance (away at Northiam) to score our first points. There are a number of players unavailable so please check the Team News section to ensure we’ve got your availability correct.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 1st Sept 2007
VALIANT EFFORT GIVES NO REWARD TO 1STS
BBFC I 1-2 Peasmarsh and Iden
Peasmarsh welcomed BBFC to Division 2 with a well worked goal inside the first minute of today's re-arranged fixture and scored another 15 minutes into the second half, before Tom Frere-Smith muscled his way onto a well crafted ANDY MILLS!!! defence splitting pass to grab a goal back 6 minutes from time.
In charge of the first 20 minutes, the visiting side looked very comfortable in possession and passed the ball around cleverly to tire the home team, who found it difficult to warm up to the pace of the game.
On waking up, Battle created some great chances, the best of which saw Tom fire narrowly over the bar when through on the goalkeeper.
The game was closely contested throughout but Peasmarsh extended their lead with a header from a right wing cross. When Tom pulled a goal back the Baptists began to believe they could steal a draw but although they raised the tempo and finished the strongest, time ran out on them.
On reflection, the Baptists will learn a lot from this match, which on the whole they deserved to draw.
Posted by: bbfcmanager